NOTES FOR VISITORS: Welcome to the Alaska Outdoors Supersite forums! The contents of our forums are viewable by anyone, and may be read by clicking the forum headings below. To post in the forums, you must register at THIS LINK. To upgrade or change your membership, please login and select Upgrade > Supporting Membership. Your account will now be managed separately from the forum system. Forum login is separate from account management but shares the same username and password.

IMPORTANT: If you cannot log-in, please reset your password using our new 6 character format through THIS LINK and click Forgot Password. An email message with a reset link will be sent to your email address.

Thanks for the responses. For some reason this seems to be worth more. It is one of the models made in Germany (Oberndorf), and as I said, is in immaculate, unfired, numbers matching condition. The guy who runs the shop has been buying and selling guns for 40 years, and from what I know of him, he wouldn't try to pull a fast one (although he's not above trying to make a profit). He has the gun listed at $1100.00. You would really have to see the finish on the action to believe it. I've never seen that good a fit and finish on any new rifle (in my limited experience).

Immaculate condition, all matching numbers, matching bayonet and sling TOO!? Original to the rifle muzzle cap, B-prefix serial number (early manufacture).
What is the probability that a rifle produced 100 years ago sat in its original shipping crate for that 100 years and is essentially new? Uh...need I say more?

My collecting interests are South American and German m98/k98's. Next time you are in the shop, look at the bolt and see if there are any lengthwise marks on the bolt from opening and closing it. If none, that rifle has never been fired since it's 3 proof rounds, and 5 rounds to verify accuracy. $1100 CDN is in the upper range, but if unfired/unissued, fair. You need to jump on that and leave it in the closet inside a soft guncase.

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Albert Einstein

First of all, the beat up Mausers that Sportmans Guide is selling are model 93s and model 95s. They are pre-1898 and if they were good examples they exhibit superb workmanship, BUT they are not the stronger 98 series as is the 1908 Brazilian Model.

The 1908 Brazilian Model is a M-98 action made in Germany during peacetime. They were very well made and very strong.
It is EXTREMELY unusual to find one in pristine condition because most were abused in South America. I have not seen a nice one like that for sale since the 1970s.

Like Nitroman said, look for sign of wear.
Also look for signs of being rebuild and refinished.
The metal edges should be under the wood edges. The wood edges should be sharp. The stamped lettering and the creast on the receiver should be clear and well defined. with no signs of serious buffing.